There’s nothing worse than getting on a plane, heading to the airport ready to enjoy your vacation, only to be denied boarding because you didn’t follow certain important rules.
Dallas-based international flight attendant Yana Biryukova shared an important travel PSA with a flyer on social media, which “happens every day,” she said in a TikTok video.
“Did you know this common mistake people make on a daily basis that gets them denied boarding on their dream vacation? Some countries have special passport requirements,” Biryukova wrote in her video. We will not allow them to enter the country,” he added.
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In response to her response, many users commented that they were rushing to check their passports to make sure they weren’t caught up in this nightmarish scenario.
“If you’re traveling abroad, check the expiry date on your passport and make sure it’s valid for at least six months,” Biryukova said in the video.
“Once it expires in 5 months and 29 days, they won’t let you on the plane. And can you see all the pages on the back? Make sure you have at least 4 empty pages so you can go home.” Please confirm. Please do not do this. “
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She said some countries won’t allow entry regardless of the circumstances surrounding the trip, whether it’s a wedding, a birthday, or a dream trip.
FOX News Digital has reached out to Biryukova for comment.
Social media users jumped into the conversation, filling the comments section with concerns and personal experiences.
“Running to see if there are enough blank pages in my passport,” one user commented.
The person then replied again, “Oh no, that’s not true, great. I think you really saved me. There are literally only two that are open.”
Another TikTok user said, “[That’s]one of the things I look for as a counter/gate agent when checking people in for flights.”
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Another user wrote: “The same thing happened to my mother. She was refused entry because her passport was due to expire in less than 6 months. She has dual citizenship. Good. Her second passport was due to be renewed in about two years.”
While some people said they knew about the expiration date rule, many were shocked to learn about the four-page rule.
Travel industry professionals are well aware of these important requirements, but the general public may not be as aware.
Sarah Russell, a travel advisor at Florida-based travel agency Travelmation, says that when she prepares her clients for a trip, “many of them say they ‘didn’t know’ there were strict rules regarding passports.” he said. .
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“For many travelers, it can be difficult to comply with the requirements, as passport book expiration dates and required number of pages vary by country.”
He said he believed it was a “general rule” to ensure that passports had at least six months left on their expiry date after their official return date.
Russell also pointed out that the four-page rule exists to ensure there’s enough space in the book for all the stamps you’ll get during your trip.
There are rules that only some countries follow, so it’s important to research that information before heading to the airport.
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You can search for the countries you plan to visit on the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website.
“If you don’t follow the rules, you’ll be sent home.”
There you can find out all the requirements that need to be met to reach the desired destination.
“Don’t take this lightly,” Russell said. “If you don’t follow the rules, you will be sent home.
“Unfortunately, many travelers are unaware of passport requirements and find themselves having to cancel plans or even being denied boarding upon arrival at the airport.”
Russell said he encourages travelers to check their passports even before planning their next vacation to avoid this holiday-ending mistake.
He also noted that the period for renewal varies depending on the age of the individual. Children under 16 must renew every five years, while those over 16 must renew every 10 years.
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“For a smooth travel experience, we recommend starting the renewal process at least one year before your passport expires. That way, you can be sure to get your new book in time and have no problems. You can enjoy your vacation,” she said.
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“Renewing your U.S. passport has never been easier with the online renewal process available in September 2024.”